Facial washes and cleansers
Face washes are classed as cleansers. They often contain more surfactants that interact with the proteins and lipids on the outer layer of the skin which emulsify dirt, oil and micro-organisms on the skin's surface.
 |
The first face wash was developed in 1914, according to Wikipedia. It was originally intended as a remedy for sunburn and came as a gelatinous, non greasy cream in a blue jar with a screw-on cap. Today face washes come in lots of different forms containing a myriad of ingredients and packaged in many ways. |
You can now buy face washes not only in a cream form, but as gels, lotions, drops, solutions, emulsions, liquids, foams, exfoliants and there is even a soap form which you can dissolve in warm water to wash with.
Face washing is very important as dirt can contribute to further infection through interaction with skin debris and particles and oil in the skin. Always use a milder face wash for your face and a different wash for your body.
Depending on your acne type, and if it is persistent, see your GP who can prescribe specially formulated face washes.
Information written by the talkhealth medical panel
Last Reviewed: 3 March 2011
Next Review Date: 1 November 2013
